Family Stories – Gordy

A friend of mine said her daughter wanted a pig so I thought I’d tell you all about my pig. Gordy!

Shortly after my 11th birthday our family went into a pet store one afternoon. Growing up we made a habit out of going out as a family every weekend. All 5 of us would load into the car and drive down the mountain and go to the mall and out to lunch. We had gone into the pet store to look at salt water fish for the new tank. My uncle had just redone the bar in the family room and the giant fish tank made an awesome statement so he filled it with all kind of pretty things. My sister and I would watch the sea horses and star fish, there were even some crabs and various fish. For whatever reason that weekend we all went to the exotic pet store.

My eyes went to the pin in the middle of the store. An adorable black baby piglet was inside. I decided right then that I had to have. After some discussion she went home as my birthday gift. I named her Gordy.

Gordy was the sweetest pig, she loved my dogs Polar and Bear. She started out with an litter box in my bedroom but eventually grew too big for my room and she went in the yard. We spent one weekend putting in insulation and a roof on her over sized dog house. In the winter months when it would snow I’d go and warm blankets and put them on her. She’d snuggle up and sit with me for a while. She’d go off to sleep and I’d head back to my bedroom and do the same. I can still remember the way her blankets smelt. In the summer her skin would shed and she’d scratch it against the fence posts. She’d go lay in the shade.

I spent time as a teenager taking care of her, raking up her mess and listening to her noises. She eventually figured out how to turn the hose on herself so we’d all hear her turning it on to get a drink. She was so smart. She loved CornNuts and every Christmas we’d pack her stocking full!

In 2003 there was a big fire on the mountain and everyone had to evacuate. Having such a big pig Gordy could not go. She stayed behind and the firefighters came and checked on her every day. I am very thankful that they took the care that they did with her.

My dog, Polar and her grew fatter and older and eventually I went off and left them at home.

In the winter of my 17th birthday Gordy passed away during the night. Polar passed away shortly after. I’m not sure I ever dealt with the loss of them and only recently have they been tugging at my heart. In writing about them here and sharing their story will in some way help me heal. They are both buried in the yard of my childhood home. I have such sweet memories of my pig Gordy and her squeal.

By the way she grew much larger than the pet store said she would. If you ever decide to get your child a pig or any other animal for that matter please make sure it is their forever home.

Polar is the dog in the back and Bear is the dog in the front of the picture. I am in the blue coat.